10/5/2011 -
According to a report by Global Industry Analysts, "Long fiber reinforced thermoplastics (LFT/LFRT) is a relatively recent technology and is fast gaining prominence as an ideal lightweight substitute for several compression and metal molded thermoset parts in the automotive industry. Today, such LFT and LFRT pellet, concentrate and direct in-line compounds offer attractive opportunities in both automotive as well as non-automotive applications. Besides metals, LFTs compete with a wide range of thermoplastic materials including glass mat thermoplastics (GMT), short fiber reinforced engineering plastics and bulk/sheet molding compounds. The length of the reinforcing fiber largely influences the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced thermoplastics. Polypropylene (PP) accounts for the majority share of the demand as the leading matrix material in various compounds. LFT-D technology, used for production of glass fibers and polypropylene based composites, offers outstanding price-to-performance benefits, thereby encouraging usage in the automotive industry for more applications. In the current scenario, the dynamics of the LFRT industry extend far beyond the usual macro-economic elements of demand and supply. The long-term success in the industry is determined by the efficiency with which the suppliers address the requirements of the end-users. Material suppliers are undergoing substantial repositioning with the development of innovative product marketing and brand building strategies. The market for LFT worldwide grows in tandem with the developments in the automotive industry. Of late, demand for sleek, small, lightweight vehicles tremendously increased market opportunities. In the automotive industry, potential uses of thermoplastics include seat-based systems, instrument panels, bumper beams, load floors, front-end and door modules, and under-body panels. The last 20 years witnessed an increasing requirement for lightweight cars due to high oil prices and the energy crisis. Long fiber-reinforced thermoplastics are therefore viewed as a cost-effective means of substituting engineering and metal thermoplastics to ensure efficient, productive and lightweight components, leading to lower fuel consumption. The substitution of metals with LFTs in parts like front-end modules, instrument panels and door modules, reduces assembly costs to a great extent. The combination of high end-use properties and high volume processing with lower system costs is a major force driving further applications of LFTs in the automotive industry. The use of LFTs, initially stemming from Europe, has eventually spread to various other regions of the world. While North America and Europe witness applications of both in-line and pellet processing, Asian technology is largely centered on pellet processing. LFT suppliers are establishing manufacturing facilities in high-growth, low cost markets such as Korea and China. The Asian region, which is currently the world’s largest automobile manufacturer, continues to increase its consumption of LFTs despite the recent economic recession, which temporarily halted growth in other world regions. China, which occupied a relatively low share in LFT consumption until 2009, surged rapidly and is today ranked as the most dominant and vibrant LFT consuming market across the globe. In terms of geographic coverage, Europe represents the single largest consumer of LFTs, as stated by the new research report on long fiber thermoplastics. The European industry has been far more receptive to thermoplastic composites in comparison to other world regions, owing to environmental concerns as well as legislation in the fields of end-of-life recycling and processing emissions. Asia-Pacific, backed by tremendous growth in China, commands the next leading position, poised to expand at a robust CAGR of about 11 percent through 2017. By end-use applications, the automotive industry garners the largest market, with instrument panels, front-end modules and underbody shields figuring as some of the prominent LFT markets." Key market participants profiled in the report include Bayer MaterialScience AG, Composite Products, Inc., Composite Technologies Co., LLC, ComUSA LLC, DuPont, Daicel Polymer Limited, OCV Reinforcements, PlastiComp LLC, PPG Industries, Rhodia Group, RTP Company, SABIC EUROPE BV, SAMBARK LFT Co., Ltd, Shanghai Genius Advanced Material Co, Ticona Engineering Polymers and TechnoCompound GmbH, among others.

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